Status of Pilots: Malta 2005

The Malta Marine Pilots have organized themselves into a Cooperative under the name of MALTA MARITIME PILOTS COPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED, an organisations which knows it’s inception in March 2003.

The present compliment is 15, all active members of which one is elected as Chief Pilot who is also President. The organisation is managed by five elected members from amongst the pilots. Other sub comities are elected to cater for Technical Matters, Safety, Security and International Relations.

The service is provided in two major ports (Valletta and Marsaxlokk) and two minor ports (Marsamxett and Mgarr harbour in Gozo, Malta’s sister island). The pilots are self-employed and they are regulated by the Pilotage act 1991 which is part of the Malta Maritime Authority act 1991 and Maritime Pilotage Regulations, 2003.

Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must not be less than twenty three years of age and not over forty five, and possesses one of the following qualifications in the following order of priority:

1) Master of ship of 3000 GT or more without limitations (STCW Regulation II/2)     issued by the Authority in terms of the Merchant Shipping Act, Merchant Shipping (training and Certification) Regulations, 2002 as amended;

2) An equivalent  certificate to (i) issued by the relevant Authority of a flag state that is party to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and watchkeeping Seafarers, 1978 as amended;

3) Chief Mate of a ship of 3000 GT or more without limitations (STCW Regulation II/2) issued by the Authority in terms of the Merchant Shipping Act, Merchant Shipping (training and Certification) Regulations, 2002 as amended;

4) An equivalent certificate to (iii) issued by the relevant Authority of a flag state that is party to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and watchkeeping Seafarers, 1978 as amended;

5) A certificate of competency for grades not lower than Officer in charge of a Navigational Watch of an ocean going ship issued in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act or an equivalent certificate issued by a foreign competent Authority acceptable to the Authority; or

6) A certificate of competency not lower than a Commercial Vessel Master issued in terms of the Commercial Vessels Regulations, 2002; 
           
Provided that a candidate with the qualifications described in i) to vi) above must furnish proof that he has not less than six years relevant experience at sea and acceptable to the Authority.

Pilots are classed under license according to a set schedule. Normally it takes a Pilot approximately six years from trainee Pilot to Class 1 Pilot.

Training is mainly given in-house and on simulators. 

Classes of pilots. 
(a) Class 1 Pilots:  Pilots licenced to pilot any vessel;
(b) Class 2 Pilots:  Pilots licenced to pilot vessels up to 300 metres LOA;
(c) Class 2A Pilots:  Pilots licenced to pilot vessels up to 250 metres LOA;
(d) Class 3 Pilots:  Pilots licenced to pilot vessels up to 200 metres LOA;
(e)  Class 3A Pilots:  Pilots licenced to pilot vessels up to 175 metres LOA;            
(f)   Class 4 Pilots:  Pilots licensced to pilot vessels up to 150 metres LOA;
(g)  Class 4A Pilots:  Pilots licenced to pilot vessels up to 130 metres LOA.

Retirement
Age of retirement is 61 years. Extensions over this age are sometimes given.

Tariff
The tariff is negotiated every three years between the Malta Maritime Pilots Coop. Soc. Ltd and the Malta Maritime Authority.

Working hours

1. day shift (0600-1800) on duty / 24 hours off duty, then
2. night shift (1800-0600) on duty / 48 hours off duty.

A rostered leave system is organised between pilots.

Compulsory pilotage
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels exceeding 500 GT.

Medical Checks
After the age of 40 years a medical check every five years unless otherwise required.